Yorkshire Water parent company Kelda met water leakage targets for the tenth year in a row today as it unveiled a 7.5% increase in annual profits.

The London market edged into positive territory today as takeover speculation gave blue-chips a late lift.

Trading on the London Stock Exchange started the year in an upbeat mood as the FTSE 100 index closed at its highest level in almost six years today.

Yorkshire Water owner Kelda posted a 10.6% rise in profits today after an inflation-busting increase in household water bills.

The London market finished the week in negative territory today as weakness for the US dollar met head on with a cautious report on the banking sector.

The London market continued to build on its five-month high today as utility companies took centre stage and investors cheered another record performance on Wall Street.

Hopes of consolidation among water utilities drove the London market forwards today after Anglian Water owner AWG said it had received an approach from a potential bidder.

The London market slid into the red today after details of a “mass murder” terror plot emerged but shares recovered substantially throughout the session as investors showed confidence in blue-chip stocks.

London shares were dragged back by heavy losses for mining stocks and renewed concerns over US interest rates today.

Shares in London drifted into the red today despite enthusiasm over a potential £1 billion takeover battle in the housebuilding sector.

The FTSE 100 Index powered back towards the 6100 mark today with gains that nearly wiped out some of last week’s losses of more than 100 points.

Mining stocks dragged the FTSE 100 back below 6100 today as oil and copper prices fell and investors looked to cash in on their recent rally.

London’s leading shares lost sight of gains notched up in a New Year rally today as miners and utilities fell out of favour.

The London market struggled for direction today as it tried to build on yesterday’s four-and-a-half-year high following a strong rally in the New Year.

Progress by a string of utilities was not enough to cheer the rest of the London market today.

A negative reaction to results from retailer Sainsbury’s reflected the mood in the wider London market today.

Oil giant BP anchored the London market in the red today after investors lost the right to the most recent dividend payout.

Sky high oil prices fuelled a positive session on the London market today, as a series of energy stocks racked up gains.

London shares notched up their sixth consecutive day of progress today despite spending most of the session in the red.

The London market reached a new three-year high today as the soaring price of crude delighted investors in oil majors.

London shares recovered to end the day above 4700 after healthcare stocks led Wall Street higher.

Top flight shares remained in poor shape in London today as investors booked profits after a downbeat session in New York.

Water utility group Kelda hailed the success of its Yorkshire Water business today as it posted a 9.4% rise in profits.

London shares fell below the 4500 mark today as soaring oil prices compounded gloom caused by yesterday’s interest rate rise.

British Airways and directories business Yell were preparing to win promotion to London’s blue-chip FTSE 100 Index today, with the latest quarterly reshuffle set to be announced later this week.

The benchmark FTSE 100 Index clung on to positive territory today despite slipping back from earlier gains.

THE strength of a revival in Britain’s leading shares will be tested next week by the release of key interest rate decisions and a strategic review by Cable & Wireless, the stock that has spearheaded this year’s rally.

Retail stocks tumbled sharply today after electricals retailer Dixons issued a shock profits warning.

Investors pulled the plug on electricals retailer Dixons today after it stunned the City with a shock profits warning.

Companies can be wasting both time and money if they just change their name to re-brand themselves, according to a British marketing expert.

Companies can be wasting both time and money if they just change their name to re-brand themselves, according to a marketing expert.

The FTSE-100 Index is off 27.7 points, standing at 6227.9 after tech stocks followed the US NASDAQ lead's and fell sharply.